PENARTH Pier has proven to be the Real deal by starring in a TV advert with footballer Gareth Bale

The BT Sport advert featuring the Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, the world’s most expensive footballer, is currently being shown on television in between World Cup matches.

It was filmed on Penarth Pier last Monday, June 23, with a crowd of local residents soon descending on the Esplanade in a bid to catch a glimpse of the Cardiff-born superstar.

The 30-second advert features Gareth Bale talking about his moves from Southampton to Tottenham and then Real Madrid, before he goes through a number of skills culminating in him launching a ball into the sea.

After watching the advert over the weekend several Penarthians took to social networking site twitter to give their praise to the Pier of the Year.

Penarth councillor Lis Burnett, cabinet member for regeneration, innovation, planning and transportation, said: “Vale Council’s amazing Penarth Pier, UK Pier of the Year, features in this BT Sport ad. Why not visit soon?” with the link to the advert.

Dai Robs also said: “Nice to see Penarth Pier in the new BT sports ad with Gareth Bale!” while Sara Siddall added: “Just spotted BT advert on TV with Gareth Bale on Penarth Pier - that was a quick turnaround from filming this week.”

Clare Henry added: “Just seen Gareth Bale’s BT Sport advert. His skills are impressive but Penarth Pier is even more impressive - wonderful it is on my doorstep.”

The latest stage of BT Sport’s second season campaign focuses on the fact that BT Sport shows live matches from more top flight football leagues than any other TV provider in the UK and reminds fans that BT Sport will be the exclusive UK home for live coverage from the best European club cup competitions from August 2015.

BT Sport customers will also be able to watch players such as Fluminense's Fred, Seattle Sounders' Clint Dempsey and New York Red Bulls' Tim Cahill when they return to play in their domestic leagues in Brazil and the USA.